2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Southwest Region
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports management students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sports Management Schools
Our analysis ranked Lee College the best value for a degree in sports management in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Victoria earned it the #2 place for sports management. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $53,961. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Rice University one of the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $10,000. Sports Management graduates of Rice University earn a median of $51,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Collin County Community College District earned it the #5 place for sports management. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,007 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $45,653. Set against $23,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
East Central University placed #7 among the best values for sports management. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,200. Early-career sports management graduates make about $29,616. Set against $21,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Lamar University landed the #8 spot for sports management value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $31,935. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona Western College came in at #9 for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career sports management graduates make about $44,895.
Arizona State University placed #10 among the best values for sports management. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,170 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Midwestern State University came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,415. Early-career sports management graduates make about $41,123. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston landed the #12 spot for sports management value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,298. Sports Management graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $35,968 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College came in at #13 for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,213 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,363. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $15,568. Early-career sports management graduates make about $46,400. Set against $15,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern State University placed #14 among the best values for sports management. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $19,041 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $49,353. That is a strong return on a $19,041 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Tulsa came in at #15 for value in sports management this year. University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,546. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $62,482. That is a strong return on a $23,638 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #16 spot for sports management value this year. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $57,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arizona landed the #17 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #18 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,957 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,957 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Sul Ross State University placed #19 among the best values for sports management. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,592, while out-of-state students pay about $17,672. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,670. Early-career sports management graduates make about $49,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sul Ross State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Angelo State University earned the #20 position for value in sports management this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $21,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $40,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Sam Houston State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $37,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Jarvis Christian College earned the #22 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the rural area of Hawkins, Jarvis Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,720. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Jarvis Christian College generally make around $30,308. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #23 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $29,632. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,500. Sports Management graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $36,866 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Rogers State University placed #25 among the best values for sports management. Set in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $31,167. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sports management value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
